Written Answers

Thursday 11 May 2000

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Alex Fergusson (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to further encourage farmers to diversify into timber production.

Ross Finnie: The Woodland Grant Scheme and the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme both offer incentives for farmers to diversify into timber production. Last year over 8,500 hectares were approved for planting under these schemes, more than in any previous year.

Asthma

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the management of pupils with asthma when they are in school.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The Scottish Executive recognises the importance of children with healthcare needs such as asthma learning in an environment in which those needs can be met. I have established a working group on the administration of medicine in schools which will develop good practice guidance. The National Asthma Campaign Scotland is represented on that group.

Asthma

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities have issued guidelines on the management of pupils with asthma when they are in school.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The information is not held centrally. I have established a working group to draw up good practice guidance on the administration of medicine in schools. The National Asthma Campaign Scotland is represented on that group.

Asthma

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools, broken down by local authority area, have a member of staff who has received training in the management of pupils with asthma when they are in school.

Mr Sam Galbraith: This information is not held centrally.

Caledonian MacBrayne

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the future role of Caledonian MacBrayne will be in relation to the Gourock-Dunoon ferry route.

Sarah Boyack: On 27 April I announced the steps which the Scottish Executive will be taking to ensure that CalMac’s services comply with EC law. This will involve the routes being put out to competitive tender. However, we will continue to subsidise the network and ensure fares and service levels are protected.

  I have published a consultation paper Delivering Lifeline Ferry Services – Meeting European Union Requirements which seeks views on a number of issues by the end of June. The document explains that, for the Gourock-Dunoon route, the Executive intends to make representations to the Commission for a passenger-only service. If we are successful, the CalMac route will be tendered. The Executive values highly CalMac’s services and the company will be allowed to bid.

Child Poverty

Scott Barrie (Dunfermline West) (Lab): To ask the First Minister what progress is being made in eliminating child poverty in Fife and in Scotland as a whole.

Mr Jim Wallace: In Fife, and across Scotland, our policies are making a real difference to children in poverty. This year we are investing £880,000 in young children in deprived areas in Fife through the Sure Start Scotland Programme, and £14 million in Scotland as a whole. The Fife Social Inclusion Partnership is also tackling child poverty through projects on child domestic violence, teenage pregnancy and family support.

Civil Service

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government in support of relocating offshore-related civil service jobs to Scotland.

Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive keeps in close touch with the Department of Trade and Industry as a range of issue affecting Scotland. There are well over 100 posts in the DTI’s Oil and Gas Directorate offices in Glasgow and Aberdeen, and that number is set to increase.

Civil Service

Mr John McAllion (Dundee East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent initiatives it has taken to encourage the dispersal of civil service jobs outwith the central belt axis of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Executive’s policy on location and relocation was fully set out by the First Minister in his answer of 15 September 1999 (S1W–1558, Mr Duncan McNeil MSP).

  The Executive’s policy does not envisage any presumption against Glasgow or other central belt locations – except that there is a presumption against an Edinburgh location for new or re-organised units. Where a significant property break occurs for existing units, options outwith Edinburgh will be considered. Locations across Scotland will be considered on a case-by-case basis consistent with our objectives of efficiency and effectiveness.

  The Minister for Health and Community Care has of course already announced that the Executive arm of the new Food Standards Agency, comprising around 40-45 staff, will be located in Aberdeen.

Community Care

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5382 by Iain Gray on 13 April 2000, to provide a breakdown, for each year given, of the amount of money transferred, detailing how much money was received by each agency involved.

Iain Gray: This information is available on request from Argyll and Clyde Health Board.

Cramond

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the weir on the River Almond which creates the Cramond waterfall will be made into a scheduled monument or scheduled structure as a matter of urgency in order that essential emergency repairs can be carried out with support from Historic Scotland.

Rhona Brankin: The weir on the River Almond at Cramond is not a scheduled ancient monument and there are no plans to afford it such statutory protection. Historic Scotland can make ancient monument grants to help with the repair of unscheduled monuments, but there is heavy demand on the grants programme and the budget for the next three years is already committed. There are, however, other potential sources of financial support towards such repairs, such as the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Drug Misuse

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of concerns expressed by Argyll and Clyde Health Board about high levels of heroin abuse in the Greenock and Inverclyde area, what future provision is being made for increased rehabilitation services for drug users.

Iain Gray: Spending on drug treatment by health boards is being boosted by £6 million over a three-year period, bringing annual spend to over £11 million. This does not include HIV/AIDS expenditure, some of which is drug related. Health boards are also free to use resources from other Hospital and Community Health Services budgets for drug misuse work, if required.

  Provision to local authorities for services to drug misusers is provided as part of Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE), but is not separately identified. GAE increased by £43.4 million (4%) for 2000-01 for social work services. In 1999-2000, the overall budgeted expenditure on drugs and alcohol services by local authorities was £8.8 million.

  It is for each Drug Action Team to review the adequacy of local drug misuse services, and consider whether any action is required.

Education

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of curriculum time in schools is spent using information technology.

Mr Sam Galbraith: There is no monitoring of the percentage of curriculum time spent by schools in the use of information technology. The flexibility of the curriculum allows for schools to decide whether and how to use information technology across the broad range of subjects offered.

Education

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has set targets for the amount of curriculum time to be spent using information technology in schools.

Mr Sam Galbraith: No. Pupils study a broad curriculum based on national guidelines which sets out the aims of study, the ground to be covered and the way pupil’s learning should be assessed and reported. The way this is delivered and the use of ICT to assist with this in the various subjects is therefore for local authorities, schools and teachers to decide.

Enterprise

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for each Local Enterprise Company Board to include a representative of the local Chamber of Commerce as normal practice.

Henry McLeish: Appointments to the Boards of Local Enterprise Companies are an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and I have asked the Chairmen to reply to the member. A copy of their replies will be placed in SPICe.

  The nature and composition of LEC Boards is a matter presently under consideration in the review of the Enterprise Networks I am undertaking.

Environment

Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure the continued survival and health of the colony of bottle nosed dolphins in the Moray Firth.

Sarah Boyack: The Moray Firth has been proposed to the European Commission as a candidate Special Area of Conservation for the dolphins. As part of that exercise a management scheme is under preparation by the Moray Firth Partnership to ensure that the conditions for a healthy population are maintained. Guidelines have been issued to minimise disturbance from dolphin-watching operations.

  In addition, Scottish Natural Heritage have been working with the oil industry to ensure that the impact of oil drilling in the area on the dolphins is minimised. Guidelines for dealing with cetaceans in the event of an oil spill have been produced. These issues and those of site monitoring will be taken forward in the SAC Management Scheme.

Fisheries

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for inshore fisheries regulatory orders are currently pending; when were they lodged and when decisions on them are expected.

Mr John Home Robertson: There is currently one formal application for a Regulating Order with the Scottish Executive. This was submitted by the Orkney Fisheries Association in June 1999. The Scottish Executive is currently discussing with the association stock management and administrative aspects of their Management Plan. The decision on whether the application proceeds to public advertisement will be taken by ministers following these discussions. In addition to the Orkney application, the Scottish Executive has received draft proposals prior to formal application from interests in the Highland Council area, the Solway Firth and the Western Isles.

Fisheries

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of escaped farm salmon have been notified to it in each of the last three years and to detail each incident.

Mr John Home Robertson: The Executive was notified of six escape incidents in 1998 involving up to 95,000 salmon; 15 incidents in 1999 involving up to 255,000 salmon; and so far this year 10 incidents involving up to 395,000 salmon. The majority of incidents, particularly this year, have been attributed to storm damage, but there have been a handful of escapes resulting from equipment failures as well as two which have been directly linked to predator damage. The Scottish Executive takes this matter very seriously, we are determined to ensure that containment is enhanced and that escapes are minimised. I look forward to receiving views on the report on this subject, which the Scottish Executive issued on 7 April.

Fisheries

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all applications it has received in each of the last three years for authorisation for the sale or production of genetically modified salmon or other fish and by whom each was made.

Mr John Home Robertson: The Scottish Executive has not received any applications to sell or produce genetically modified salmon or other fish.

Fisheries

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will bring forward the review of the single area licensing system for herring fishing given the changed circumstances following the introduction of satellite monitoring.

Mr John Home Robertson: No. It would be inappropriate to do so. The forthcoming summer herring fishery provides the first opportunity to evaluate the impact of satellite monitoring. I have given the industry a commitment that the licensing arrangements will be reviewed later this year.

Fisheries

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, for each year from 1996 onwards, what proportion of the total fishing licences administered by the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department are attached to (a) vessels’ fishing licences and (b) producers’ organisations’ "dummy vessels".

Mr John Home Robertson: So-called "dummy vessels" are an administrative mechanism by which producer organisations are able to acquire and hold fixed quota units for the common good of their members. They are not vessels and fishing licences are not attached to them.

  The number of fishing licences administered by the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department (and its predecessor) from 1996 was as follows:

  


At 1st January


Licences attached 
to fishing vessels




1996


2,748




1997


2,687




1998


2,619




1999


2,602




2000


2,561

Health

Janis Hughes (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that the unique nature of paediatric health services is taken into account when it considers the future of child health services in Glasgow and in Scotland as a whole.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive recognises the unique nature of paediatric services. We have demonstrated that through the Chief Medical Officer’s Acute Services Review. We expect local health services to act on those principles.

  Decisions affecting local communities are best taken by those who provide the services. In due course, I look forward to seeing firm proposals following Greater Glasgow Health Board’s public consultation exercise on the future of acute services, including paediatric services, across the city.

Health

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take in the light of the recent research published in Human Psychopharmacology on the organic nature of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Susan Deacon: There have been many research studies into the causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which have come to different conclusions. The Executive would only be likely to take any action on the basis of published research if and when some consensus among clinicians is reached.

  The Department of Health in England is funding a major research project in association with the Working Group on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) established by their Chief Medical Officer. This project will review all recently published research on CFS/ME, in the hope of pointing the way towards consensus. The Scottish Executive Health Department, because of its observer representation on the working group, will be fully advised of the results of the research project.

Housing

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses in multiple occupation will be licensed by the end of October this year.

Mr Frank McAveety: Our understanding is that local authorities have already licensed about 300 houses in multiple occupation under the existing arrangements for discretionary licensing schemes. On the assumption that the Parliament approves the Order which has been laid by the Scottish Executive to introduce mandatory licensing, it will be possible for local authorities to grant licenses under this Order from 1 October 2000. The number of houses in multiple occupation licensed by the end of October will depend on how quickly local authorities receive and process applications for licences.

Justice

Shona Robison (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are available to provide protection to witnesses in cases of anti-social behaviour.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Executive recognises the need for witnesses in cases of anti-social behaviour to give evidence free from intimidation. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 made provision for applications for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and eviction for anti-social behaviour to be made on evidence obtained by police and local authorities witnesses, reducing the need for other witnesses to give evidence in court. We will shortly be producing an action plan following the consultation on the report Towards a Just Conclusion, which made recommendations about intimidated witnesses.

Learning Disabilities

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish proposals for services for people with a learning disability.

Iain Gray: Our proposals are contained in the report The same as you? which is published today. It aims to change for the better the lives of people with learning disabilities and their carers. I am consulting widely on its findings.

  I am pleased to have achieved the commitment in our Programme for Government to publish these proposals in 2000.

Mental Health

Scott Barrie (Dunfermline West) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase awareness of mental health difficulties amongst children in care.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Each child and young person looked after by a local authority must have a care plan that addresses all individual needs, including mental health needs. The Looking After Children materials which we launched in Scotland last year require a detailed assessment of the child’s emotional and behavioural development at different ages and stages of their lives and prompt action to overcome any difficulties identified.

Mining

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to reconsider the planning guidelines for opencast mining operations.

Sarah Boyack: The Executive is intending to consult shortly on proposals to introduce an assessment framework to ensure that dust emissions from opencast coal sites are kept within environmentally acceptable limits.

Mining

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Longannet coal mine will qualify for additional investment under the scheme announced by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 17 April 2000 and, if so, how much can it expect to receive.

Henry McLeish: This is a reserved matter, but I understand that Mining Scotland has informed the Department of Trade and Industry of its interest in applying for operating aid in respect of Longannet mine when such aid becomes available. Any aid to the coal industry must be approved in advance by the European Commission, and any applications for aid will be assessed by the DTI against the criteria of the scheme. DTI is currently consulting interested parties on the structure of the proposed state aid scheme.

Mining

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty’s Government to ensure that Longannet coal mine receives maximum support from the investment grant as announced by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 17 April 2000.

Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive has maintained close contact with the UK Government to press the case for Longannet mine ever since the possibility of operating aid being made available to the UK mining industry was raised. I understand that Mining Scotland, the mine’s owners, has informed the Department of Trade and Industry of its intention to apply for operating aid in respect of the mine once such support becomes available and I will continue to press the case for deep mining in Scotland.

Mining

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been completed on the Scottish deep mining coal industry following the decision to issue more licences for gas powered power stations in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK.

Henry McLeish: We are not aware of any such studies having been carried out. Mining Scotland expects to be able to benefit from the availability of operating aid to the coal industry recently announced by the UK Government. In addition, Mining Scotland has a long-term contract with Scottish Power under which all of the coal produced by its Longannet mine is supplied directly to Longannet power station. That contract would not be affected by developments elsewhere in the electricity generation sector.

Police

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to maximise the amount of police officers’ time which is spent on front-line duties.

Mr Jim Wallace: The deployment of police officers is entirely an operational matter for chief constables. However, the Scottish Executive is committed to having policies in place which ensure that the maximum number of police officers are available for policing duties. This includes the financial commitment we are making for a range of technology developments to assist the police such as PSRCS (a new radio communication system); SPIS (an information strategy to integrate Forces’ IT systems); and ISCJIS (a streamlined electronic reporting system). In addition, the number of civilian staff is presently at an all time high thus releasing police officers from administration to concentrate on policing duties. We have also set up the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency with a budget of £10 million over the next two years which will further increase the number of front-line police officers.

Rail Network

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give an update on the progress of the evaluation of the Glasgow Airport rail link.

Sarah Boyack: Railtrack and Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive have been jointly assessing three options for providing a rail link to Glasgow Airport.

  Further consideration of the link awaits the completion of the DETR/Scottish Executive strategic study of transport links to Scottish Airports.

Rural Affairs

Alex Fergusson (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has made available in order to progress the pilot project which it has established with organisations and producers in Dumfries and Galloway to look at developing viable markets for locally produced goods, and how that funding will be applied.

Ross Finnie: As it is still in its planning stages there are no budgets set against this initiative at present. But the pilot project, which will look at developing alternative viable markets for local Dumfries and Galloway produce will be given whatever support is necessary to ensure the Scottish Executive and the local interest groups it will be working with can make meaningful progress.

Schools

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what national guidelines are in place for local authorities in determining the criteria for rural schools closures.

Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive does not issue national guidelines on matters of school provision. In March 1998, the previous administration invited authorities to apply a test of proportionate advantage to any proposed closure of a rural school, to ensure that all factors are taken into account and that the educational and financial gains are weighed properly against any negative effects on the community. There are statutory consultation requirements which authorities must undertake where they propose to close a school. This ensures that there is a full opportunity for all relevant issues surrounding the proposed closure of a school to be aired and considered.

Schools

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it undertakes with local authorities on the dates for school holidays.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The setting of dates for school holidays is a matter for individual local authorities. Following representations received about different dates set in local authorities, my officials wrote to authorities in February to ask how holidays were currently co-ordinated between authorities and what could be done to improve liaison in the future. In response, most authorities indicated that they held discussions with their neighbours with a view to securing a consistent approach although consistency could not always be achieved because of local circumstances and local holidays. I am considering the detailed responses further.

Scottish University for Industry

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it used in deciding on the location of the headquarters of the Scottish University of Industry.

Henry McLeish: In considering the location of the headquarters of the Scottish UfI, the Scottish UfI Advisory Group took the view that the decision should be taken on the basis of criteria which support the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation. In view of the number of key partners the Scottish UfI would have in the central belt, it considered a central belt location advisable, assessed against criteria including:

  the recruitment and retention of staff of high calibre;

  convenient links with key partners on a daily basis and good rail, road and air links;

  modern, flexible accommodation with IT infrastructure and disabled access; and

  a location and building which conveys the right image for an all-Scotland organisation aspiring to change the learning culture in Scotland.

  Glasgow proved to be the most viable proposition, meeting all of the above criteria.

Sheltered Housing

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities levy a charge on tenants in sheltered housing to recover or partially recover the cost of a warden service.

Iain Gray: Consistent information is not available.

Sheltered Housing

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage change has been in each of the last three years in the charges made by each local authority to their sheltered housing tenants in respect of warden services.

Iain Gray: Information is not collected centrally on the levels and numbers of individual charges made to sheltered housing tenants in respect of warden services.

Sheltered Housing

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what charges were made by each local authority to their sheltered housing tenants in respect of warden services in financial year 1999-2000.

Iain Gray: Information is not collected centrally on the levels and numbers of individual charges made to sheltered housing tenants in respect of warden services.

Speech Therapy

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many qualified speech therapists are currently employed by each health board or NHS Trust, (b) how many children are currently awaiting assessment or treatment for speech difficulties and (c) how long children are waiting for this service.

Susan Deacon: The latest available information for (a) qualified speech therapists employed by each health board and Trust is shown in the table. For parts (b) and ( c) of the question the information is not held centrally.

  Qualified Speech Therapists employed in the NHS in Scotland by provider

  Headcount and Whole Time Equivalent: at 30 September 1999p

  





Number


WTE




Scotland


 854


 715.7




Ayrshire & Arran Health Board


 46


 40.2







Ayrshire & Arran Acute Hospitals 
NHS Trust


 13


 10.7







Ayrshire & Arran Primary 
Care NHS Trust


 33


 29.5




Borders Health Board


 18


 16.0







Borders Primary Care NHS Trust


 18


 16.0




Argyll & Clyde Health Board


 63


 53.9







Argyll & Clyde Acute Hospitals 
NHS Trust


 3


 2.4







Lomond & Argyll Primary Care 
NHS Trust


 18


 14.3







Renfrewshire & Inverclyde 
Primary Care NHS Trust


 42


 37.2




Fife Health Board


 46


 37.9







Fife Acute Hospitals NHS Trust


 1


 1.0







Fife Primary Care NHS Trust


 45


 36.9




Greater Glasgow Health Board


 149


 129.5







Yorkhill NHS Trust


 88


 76.3







South Glasgow University Hospitals 
NHS Trust


 27


 21.4







North Glasgow University Hospitals 
NHS Trust


 22


 20.2







Greater Glasgow Primary Care 
NHS Trust


 12


 11.6




Highland Health Board


 30


 25.6







Highland Primary Care NHS Trust


 30


 25.6




Lanarkshire Health Board


 109


 96.5







Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS 
Trust


 2


 1.1







Lanarkshire Primary Care NHS 
Trust


 107


 95.4




Grampian Health Board


 101


 78.3







Grampian University Hospitals 
NHS Trust


 23


 15.3







Grampian Primary Care NHS Trust


 78


 62.9




Orkney Health Board


 4


 2.7




Lothian Health Board


 141


 111.4







Lothian University Hospitals 
NHS Trust


 90


 71.3







Lothian Primary Care NHS Trust


 28


 21.6







West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust


 23


 18.5




Tayside Health Board


 65


 54.4







Tayside Primary Care NHS Trust


 65


 54.4




Forth Valley Health Board


 46


 36.5







Forth Valley Primary Care NHS 
Trust


 46


 36.5




Western Isles Health Board


 5


 5.0




Dumfries & Galloway Health 
Board


 28


 25.5







Dumfries & Galloway Primary 
Care NHS Trust


 28


 25.5




Shetland Health Board


 3


 2.5




  Source: National Manpower Statistics from payroll, ISD Scotland.

  p provisional

Tourism

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has discussed with the Scottish Tourist Board or local tourist boards the need to support and retain manned tourist information centres.

Henry McLeish: No. Decisions about the provision of information are for Area Tourist Boards to take. They are in the best position to determine whether this should be through Tourist Information Centres or by some other method.

Water Charges

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce a water service charges benefit scheme aligned to the existing Council Tax Benefit Scheme.

Sarah Boyack: The current arrangements linking water and sewerage charges to council tax bands already provide substantial assistance to many less well-off households. 27% of all households in Scotland occupy Band A properties. These households pay only one third of the charge paid by those in Band H.

  Nevertheless, we recognise that affordability of water charges is an issue. That is why we are looking again at current arrangements. We shall consult widely on this before implementing any changes.

Young People

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has held with youth organisations about the possible introduction of a voluntary identity card scheme for young people.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Consultation with young people on a pilot to link the highly successful Young Scot card to the provision of local authority services will start this weekend. The proposed laminated card will carry the holder’s name, photograph and date of birth.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Holyrood Project

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer,  further to his answer to question S1W-6118 on 25 April 2000, what the estimated costs are of the Holyrood Project Team until the new Parliament building is completed.

Sir David Steel: The cost of the Holyrood Project Team whose members are staff of the Parliament, is met from Parliament’s annual "running cost" budget which in 2000-01 amounts to around £38.7 million. The Holyrood Project Team budget for 2000-01 is just under £480,000. Future years’ budgets will be determined in accordance with identified needs and resources available to the Parliament.